Christ confidence

Re:Verse reading–Acts 4:5-31 (day one)

“Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.”–v 13

As a young person, with some regular relapses even now, I suffered from a deep lack of confidence.  Who I was just didn’t seem to be enough–that’s how it felt, anyway.

A few years after receiving Christ, I discovered this scripture and the comfort of it.  Confidence comes from “being with” Christ.  Learning His mind.  Resting in His life, approval and protection.  If that is where Peter/John found it, I could too!

In Matthew 11, Jesus promises to give us rest.  In Acts 3, he promises to give us confidence.  Not available anywhere else.  Attractive and noticeable, even to those who don’t believe.

“The wicked flee when no one  is pursuing, but the righteous are as bold as a lion”–Proverbs 28:1.

 

Who Am I?

Re: Verse reading–Acts 3:1-20  (day seven)

When I read a passage of Scripture I typically picture myself as one of the characters in the text.  Pridefully, I tend to gravitate toward the hero.  In this text, I like to think that I am Peter proclaiming truth and healing in the name of Jesus Christ, but in reality I am closer to the lame beggar and the crowd.  I find myself to be a man in need of strengthening not a man dishing out miracles.  As God heals I hope my reaction is as genuine as the beggar’s, leaping and praising God all the way into worship.  Similarly, I am far more likely to be like the Peter who disowned Jesus at the crucifixion (which he accuses the crowd of here, v.13-14), rather than being the Peter who boldly changes a man’s life with the Gospel.  Thankfully, we have a patient God who will forgive our pride and restore us to life.

2 Peter 3:8-9   But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Interruption

Re: Verse reading–Acts 3:1-20  (day six)

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. Acts 3:1

I imagine going to the Temple to pray was a matter of meaningful routine. They found themselves there often, along with many new believers. They continued in their Jewish temple traditions in a renewed and refreshing way, in the power of the Spirit. They did not go to the temple to be accosted by a man lame from birth, and yet they were.

“Look at us.” Peter said. Amazing. He did not look the other way to avoid an awkward moment or inconvenience, or hope that the lame man would move on to someone else. No, he said, “Look at us.” Peter and John entered into interruption, and a man was healed, and no less significant, others heard the good news of Jesus.

They went to the temple for meaningful prayer and ended up with a meaningful interruption. Your interruptions can be just as meaningful. Don’t miss them.

Together

Re: Verse reading–Acts 3:1-20  (day five) “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.” (KJV) 

In Acts 3 we find many evidences of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. First, there is miraculous healing. Second, there is inspired preaching. Third, (maybe overlooked) is the repaired relationship between Peter and John. Just a few weeks earlier, John remained faithful to Jesus as a follower and friend (at the crucifixion- called by named to take care of Mary) while Peter denied and abandoned Jesus. After the resurrection, there was forgiveness and the restoration of a friendship and relationship between these two men. It was clear to all who knew them that somehow they were again working, witnessing, and worshipping together. Different personalities. Different approaches. Together on mission!! Sounds like a church, doesn’t it?

Do we see evidences of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our witnessing, in our ministry, and in our relationships?


Refresh

Re: Verse reading–Acts 3:1-20  (day four)

We call it a refresh button .  It brings the screen of our phone or computer up to date.  It replaces the old with the new.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have a refresh button in life…making everything new and right?  Good news!  We do.  Verse 19 says, “Therefore, repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;”  Repentance is more than just a desire to do good, it involves action…a turning away from one behavior (sin) and decisively turning to a right behavior according to God’s plan.  Repentance is always to a behavior in line with God’s Word.  Replacing the old with the new!  Repentance can lead to forgiveness of sin and salvation, or it can lead to a correction in the direction of life and a return to righteousness.  Is it time to hit the refresh button in your life?

 

 

Frame

Re: Verse reading–Acts 3:1-20  (day three)

“He asked them for money.”  Money was the only remedy in society’s framing of the situation.  But Peter and John broke that frame.  A handout was no longer the best thing a person might hope to receive.  The eternal kind of life they were learning from the Holy Spirit enabled them to imagine new possibilities.  This is not imagination like we understand it, which is essentially “make-believe”.  Rather, it is a future redefined by Christ.  As Jesus’s disciples, we have the power to usher in new ways of living.  At least for now, we have social standing and power unknown to the first century church.  Can you give money?  Do it.  Can you heal?  Do so.  But can we leverage our social standing and power to alter the economic landscape for the sake of the least of these?  We must.

More than Your Gold

Re: Verse reading–Acts 3:1-20  (day two) 

But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you:” vs. 6a

I learned this verse from a more poetic translation: Silver and gold have I none…it has always stuck with me. I don’t think we modern American Christianity resonates as much with this anymore. It’s almost like, “I’ve got money, that should be enough.” The easiest thing we can do is write a check. It is in the act of serving that challenges us. Meeting our brothers and sisters where they are, praying, sharing, loving; these are the acts of service that will require more than your pocketbook. These are the acts of service that will pay eternal dividends.

Repentance

Re: Verse reading–Acts 3:1-20  (day one)

“Therefore, repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”–v 19

It was not something I heard when I first followed Christ.  Still recovering what was lost by this partial gospel.  Jesus preached repentance and faith. (See Mark 1:15)   Peter, in Acts 3, faithfully repeated the wisdom.

The word meant to “change your mind” (metanoia).  Referred to all thoughts in a person’s mind.  About God, about self, about priorities and values.  Unconscious ideas, mainly, but vitally important.

As we believe in God, these ideas have to change.  They are abandoned. Rejected. Repented.  Without it, the head is so full of false that True cannot take root.

“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”–Proverbs 23:7.

“Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”–Romans 12:1.

What thought do you have in your mind that is not true?

Spirit-filled witness

Re: Verse reading–Acts 2:1-41 (day seven)

“And they began to speak. . .as the Spirit was giving them utterance.”–v 4

When I was a young believer, I was made to feel guilty for not “sharing my faith”.  I don’t know whether this was intentional, or not.  I do know that I was told, again and again, that it was my “duty” to present Christ to everyone I met–strangers, members of my family, roommates, people I sat beside on airplanes.  And, the less I did so, the more guilty I felt.

I wish someone had helped me focus on the Holy Spirit.  Him–the Great Communicator. Me–the conduit and co-laborer.  I wish they had helped me read Acts 2.  When He fills with power. . .we speak.  Not something forced and awkward.  Joyful witness!

I am reminded again today and with a grateful heart.  HE gives power.  HE draws men to Himself.  HE gives utterance.  The focus is never on me.

Out Not Up

Re: Verse reading–Acts 2:1-41 (day six)

God confused all those gathered at the Tower of Babel by introducing new languages. They  had insisted on staying together, building a tower to the heavens, and making a name for themselves. That is not what God had commanded; “fill the earth and subdue it,” he said.

The Holy Spirit’s arrival during Pentecost is another reminder of the eternal purpose of God, to advance His Kingdom, to fill the earth and subdue it. The Temple courtyard was full of Jews who had traveled from many nations, and by the power of the Spirit, each heard the Gospel in their own language (not confused), and many believed and were baptized. Peter did not have them build a tower, or insist that they stay in Jerusalem and start the first mega church, no they returned home; they went out bearing witness to Jesus. You can’t get any more Holy Spirit-strategic than that. God is committed to advancing His Kingdom out, not up. Our tendency is to be preoccupied with building towers, but God isn’t. It would help us if we thought the same way. Out not up.